Device for saving torpedoes.



2"! LUllP-l E. DURR.

DEVICE FOR SAVING TORPEDOES. rrmoimon FILED NOV.20, 1914.

1,1 30,585. Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Ernest ,Durt} 1, WMM,

THE NORRIS PETERS c'J PI-Hrm-LII'HO.v wAsumuru/v. D c,

Tmrpedcmm ERNEST DURR, OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

DEVICE FOR SAVING TORPEDOES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Application filed November 20, 1914. Serial No. 873,664.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, ERNEST DURR, a citizen of the United States of America and a lieutenant in the United States Navy, and now stationed at United States Naval Training- Station, Newport, county of Newport and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Decise firing. It is self-evident that owing to high cost of torpedoes the loss of any number of them is a' great expense to the Government and any means that would obviate this losswould insure a saving to the Government.

The present invention consists in providing the torpedo wlth an exerclse head whlch has a flexible water outlet, the end of which is adapted to reach any point within the interior of said head in whatever position the torpedo may be in and in further providing .the wall between the usual compressed air chamber and said head with a valved air passage, the valve of which is so controlled that it will open at a predetermined difference in the pressures within said chamber and head.

The invention further consists in means for again closing said airpassage at a predetermined time to prevent water from passing into the air chamber.

The invention further consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be fully understood by reference to the description of the drawings and to the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 represents a section of the forward end of a torpedo with an exercise head thereon, and showing the principles of the present invention. Fig. 2 represents a section of the valve mechanism for controlling the emission of the air from the air chamber to the interior of the exercise head and preventing water entering said chamber from said head. Fig. 3 represents a transverse section of the valve mechanism, the cutting plane being on line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents a transverse section of the same, the cutting plane being on line H on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 represents a trans"- verse section of the same, the cutting plane being on line 5-5 on Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 represents a transverse section of the same, the cutting plane being on line 66 on Fig. 2.

Similar characters designate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawlngs.

In the drawings, 10 represents the front wall or head of a casing 10 forming the usual compressed air chamber of a torpedo. Secured to the casing 10* by the bolts 11 is an exercise head 12 having a gasket 13 interposed between the wall 10 and the head 12to prevent leakage. Thehead 12 is used when exercise firing is being conducted, but when the torpedo is to be used for service this exercise head 12 is removedand the usual war head is secured to the wall 10. The casing of the exercise head 12 is provided with an opening 14 therethrough normally closed by the plate 15. Secured in this plate 15 is a nipple 16 to the inner end of which is secured a tubular member 17, the free end of which has mounted thereon a weight 18. The length of the tubular member 17 is such that the-weight 18 may drop into the lowest part of the interior of the exercise head 12 in whatever position the torpedo may assume so that when air pressure is admitted into the exercise head all of the water contained within the interior of the'head 12 will be discharged therefrom through the tubular head 17.

In practice the head 12 is filled with water ballast which may be admitted through the tubular member or through the opening 14 by removing the plate 15. Centrally disposed in the wall or head 10 is a bushing 19 which may be threaded thereto or otherwise secured therein so that the joint between the bushing and the wall of the opening through the head 10 will be air tight. Threaded to the bushing 19 is the plug 20 having an air passage 21 therethrough. The plug 20 is provided with two shoulders 22 and 23 between which and the end of the bushing 19 and the outer face of the head 10 are interposed respectively gaskets 24 and 25 to make the joints per fectly tight and to prevent any leakage of 'tion, this member 53 is air from the compressed air chambers 10". Extending through the air passage 21 is the valve stem 26, preferably provided with three longitudinal grooves in its periphery which form air passages through which the air is adapted to escape into the exercise head 12 from the chamber 10 when the Valve 27 on the inner end of the stem 26 is open. The opposite end of the valve stem 26 is threaded to a spindle 28 adapted to reciprocate in a bearing 29 formed in the framework 30 secured at its lower end to the plug 20. Theframework 30 is cylindrical and cut away at 31. A cylindrical nut 32 threaded to the spindle 28 is adapted to be reciprocated with the spindle 28 longitudinally of the framework 30. The nut 32 is provided with a plurality of peripheral sockets 33 adapted to receive an adjusting pin of ordinary construction whereby the nut may be adjusted longitudinally of the spindle 28 to vary the compression of the spring 34 surrounding the spindle 28 and interposed between said nut and the wall 35 of the framework 30. Extending upwardly from the wall 35 are a pluralit of posts 36 supporting the annular disk 3 to which is threaded the shank 38 of a cupshaped guide member 39. This guide member 39 is provided with aflat-sided lug 40 whereby the shank 38 of the guide member 39 may be screwed into the disk 37. Interposed between the guide member 39 and the disk 37 is a flexible diaphragm 41, the outer edges of which are clamped between the cylinder member 42 and the annular member 43. The cylinder member 42 is threaded to the annular member 43 having inwardly extending cars 44 positioned in slots 45 in the periphery of the disk 37 in which they are adapted to reciprocate. These ears 44 are secured by means of screws 46 to the bar 47 positioned in a transverse opening in the framework 30 between the disk 37 and the wall 35. This bar 47 is secured by means of the pin 48 to the upper end of the spindle 28. The member 42 is provided with a lug 49 having flat sides by which said member 42 may be screwed into the annular member 43. This lug 49 is provided with an eye 50 to which a chain 51 1s adapted to be connected, the opposite end of said chain being connected to an eye 52 mounted in an adjusting member 53 threaded to the nose 54 at the extreme forward end of the exercise head 12. The chain 51 1s composed of long links as shown in Fig. 1. The adjusting member 53 may be set to hold the chain 51 taut and retain the valve 27 to its seat, but when it is desired to permit the valve mechanism to properly funcadjusted so that the cha n 51 Wlll be slack. The outer end of the plug 20 is provided with a valve seat 55 with which a valve 56 pinned to the valve stem 26 is adapted to engage to prevent water in the exercise head 12 from entering the compressed air chamber 10 when the air under compression has been ejected therefrom. Ordinarily the pressure of the air within the chamber 10 is sufficient to retain the valve 27 to its seat and prevent any leakage of said air into the interior of the exercise head 12. When the pressure of the air within the compressed air chamber 10 has been reduced to a predetermined pomt orthe pressure of the water within the exercise head 12 has been increased a predetermined amount, the difference in the pressure will cause the cylinder 42 to be moved toward the head 10 and the valve 27 opened. This opening of the valve 27 will permit the air under pressure in the chamber 10 to rush through the air passage 21 and force the water in the exercise head 12. outwardly therefrom through the water passage 17. This water having been forced from the exercise head and. replaced with air, the whole forward end of the torpedo will become buoyant and rise to the surface of the water into which it has been fired, the nose of the torpedo extending considerably above the surface of the water so that it may be seen at considerable distance and recovered at' will. When the exercise head is to be replaced by a war head the valve mechanism is removed and a suitable plug is substituted therefor, said plug being threaded to the bushing 19. The cylinder member 42, packing ring 43, and the diaphragm 41 form an air tight chamber, and when the pressure in the exercise head reaches a predetermined point the action on these members will cause thespindle 28, valve stem 26, and valve 27 to be moved inwardly to open up the passage 21.

It is obvious that the action of the mocha-- nism depends upon the relative areas of the movable cylinder and the valve 27, and these may be varied to suit the difierent conditions without departing from the principles of the present invention. As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1 of the drawings, the exercise head has no after bulkhead but is secured to the casing 10 with the gasket 13 interposed between the two, thus making the joint perfectly water and air tight. v

The operation of the device is as follows: The compressed air chamber is charged in the usual manner and the exercise head filled with water, after which the member 53 is adjusted so that the chain 51 is slack, permitting the valve mechanism to properly function. If the torpedo properly functions and makes a normal run the pressure in the compressed air chamber 10 will be gradually reduced. l/Vhen the pressure has been reduced sufficiently the spring 34 will open the valve 27 against the pressure remaining in the compressed air chamber 10*. Air will then rush into the exercise head and expel the water therefrom. This will cause the torpedo to float with the exercise head out of water visible from a considerable distance as has been described heretofore. While in this vertical or almost vertical position the weighted end of the hose or flexible tubular member 17 will move into the lowest part of the exercise head, thereby insuring'the expulsion of sufficient water to make the forward end of the torpedo perfectly buoyant. In case the torpedo fails to start and sinks, the water pressure in the exercise head will be increased as the torpedo sinks to lower depths, and when this increase" of pressure upon the movable cylinder has reached a predetermined point it will open the valve 27 against the pressure of the compressed air in the casing 10. The valve 27 being opened in this manner, air will rush into the exercise head and expel the water therefrom, causing the torpedo to rise and float in a vertical position in a manner substantially as has been previously described. The air escaping into the exercise head augments the water pressure. It is obvious, however, that as the torpedo rises the water pressure will lessen, and owing to the pressure of the air admitted to the exercise head the pressure of the air will be suflicient to keep the valve open so long as a predetermined pressure is maintained. lVhen the pressure in the casing 10 falls sufiiciently, the counter valve 56 will be forced to its seat by means of the spring 34: and the admission of water from the exercise head to the compressed air chamber will be prevented. In some cases the torpedo dives into mud on account of some derangement in the operating mechanism thereof. In such an event the valve will be opened as previously described, and, on account of the inclined position of the torpedo, the weight ed end of the flexible tubular member 17 will move toward the nose of the torpedo, thus insuring that all of the water contained in the exercise head will be expelled. The escaping stream of air and water from the water passage 17 will loosen the mud, and this, combined with a rapidly lightening head will free the torpedo from said mud.

By using torpedoes constructed as herein described, the losses thereof will be reduced to a minimum.

It is believed that the operation and many advantages of this invention will be fully understood from the foregoing description.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

I 1. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head; means whereby water may be admitted to or expelled from said head; and a valve between said air chamber and head normally closed by the pressure within the air cham-p ber but adapted to be opened when the pres-- sure in the exercise head acting on said valve exceeds the pressure in the air chamber acting thereon. 2. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head having a water passage in its wall and communicating with said air chamber by an air passage; and a valve normally closing said passage but adapted to be operated to admit air from said chamber to said head when the pressure in said head acting on said valve exceeds the air pressure in said chamber acting on the opposite face of said valve. 3. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head having a water passage in its wall; a valve between said chamber and exercise head; and means for regulating the operation of said valve whereby it will be opened when the pressure on the head face thereof exceeds the pressure on the chamber face thereof.

4:. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head therefor; a flexible tubular member extend ing through the casing of the head-into the interior thereof; a valve between the air chamber and head normally closed by the pressure in the air chamber acting on one face thereof but adapted to be opened by an excess of pressure acting on the opposite face of said valve.

5. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head therefor; a flexible tubular member extending through the casing of the head into the interior thereof; a weight on the free end of said tubular member; a valve between the air chamber and head normally closed by the pressure within said air chamber but on one face thereof in excess of the pressure I within said chamber acting upon the opposite face of said valve.

7. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber with an air passage therefrom; an exercise head having a water passage in its wall; a gulde member secured to a wall of said chamber; a cylinder movable on said guide member; a valve carried thereby adapted to close said air passage; and adjustable means carried by and movable with said cylinder whereby said valve will be opened at a predetermined difference in the pressures acting upon theopposite faces thereof.

8. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head having a water assage in its wall; a tubular plug secure in the wall between said chamber and exercise head and having an air passage between said chamber and head; a framework supported by said plug; a

spindle. slidably mounted in said frame work; a guide member secured to said framework; a cylinder surrounding said guide member and secured to said spindle; a spring surrounding said spindle; a nut for adjusting the compression thereof; and a valve secured to said spindle and adapted to prevent the emission of the air in said chamber through said air passage.

9. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head having a water passage therein; a tubular plug secured in the wall between said chamber and exercise head and having an air passage between said chamber and head; a framework supported by said plug; a spindle slidably mounted in said framework; a guide member secured to said framework; a cylinder surrounding said guide member and secured to'said spindle; a spring surrounding said spindle; a nut for adjusting the compression therof; and two valves secured to said spindle one of which is adapted to prevent the emission of the air in said chamber through said air passage while the other is adapted to prevent the flow of water into the air chamber when the pressure has been reduced in said chamber.

a 10. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head having a water passage therein; a tubular plug secured in the wall between said chamber and exercise head and having an air passage between said chamber and head; a framework supported by said plug; a spindle slidably mounted in said framework; a guide member secured to said framework; a cylinder surrounding said guide member and secured to said spindle; a diaphragm secured between said framework and guide member and secured at its edge to said cylinder; a spring surrounding said spindle; a nut for adjusting the compression thereof; and a valve secured to said spindle and adapted to prevent the emission of the air in said chamber through said air passage.

11. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head; means whereby water may be ad mitted to or expelled from said head; a valve between said air chamber and head normally closed by the pressure within the air chamber but adapted to be opened when the pressure acting upon the opposite face of said valve exceeds the pressure in the air chamber; and means for locking said valve in closed position during the charging of said air chamber.

12. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head having a water passage therein; a valve between said chamber and exercise head adapted to admit air from said chamber to said head when the pressure on one face of said valve exceeds the air pressure in said chamber acting upon the opposite face thereof; and means for preventing the flow of water into said air chamber when the pressure therein has been reduced a predetermined amount.

18. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head having a water passage therein; a valve between said chamber and exercise head; and a spring for regulating the operation of said valve whereby it will be opened when the pressure on the face thereof within said chamber has been reduced below the pressure acting upon the opposite face.

14. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head therefor; a flexible tubular member extendiug through the casing of the head 'into the interior thereof; a valve between the air chamber and head normally closed; and adjustable means whereby said valve is adapted to be opened at a predetermined pressure in the air chamber.

15. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head therefor having a water passage extending through its casing into the interior thereof; a valve between the air chamber and head normally closed; and a spring adapted to open said valve at a predetermined"difference in the pressures acting upon opposite faces of said valve.

16. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head having a water passage therein; avalve between said chamber and exercise head; a spring for opening said valve at a predetermined diiference in the pressures acting upon opposite faces of said valve; and means for adjusting the compression of said spring.

17. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber with an air passage therefrom; an exercise head having a water passage therein; a guide member secured to a wall of said chamber; a cylinder movable on said guide member; a valve carried thereby adapted to close said air passage; and a spring for openlng saldvalve at a predetermined difference in the pressures acting upon opposite faces of said valve.

18. In combination with a torpedo having a compressed air chamber; an exercise head having a water passage therein; a tubular plug secured in the wall between said chamber and exercise head and having an air passage between said chamber and head; a framework supported by said plug having a transverse opening therein; a spindle slid- Torpeqilm ably mounted in said framework; a guide vent the emission of the air in said chamber member secured to said framework; a bar in through said air passage. 10 said transverse opening secured to said spin- Signed by me at Newport, Rhode Island, dle; a cylinder surrounding said guide memthis 10th day of November, 1914.

5 ber and secured to said bar; a spring sur- ERNEST DURR.

rounding said spindle; a nut for adjusting Witnesses: the compression thereof; and a valve se- MAxsoN ALGER, cured to said spindle and adapted to pre- JAMES DWYER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of ratents,

Washington, D. 0. 

